In What Ways is Genre portrayed in The Sopranos - Essay Example

In what ways is genre portrayed in “The Sopranos”? XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Date: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX The sopranos a television series that has the theme of gangsters in diverse ways. The series has multiple conscious and some allusions to James Cagney, Edward Robinson and the Godfather trilogy. For instance, Tony soprano the psychologically disturbed leader of northern New Jersey arranged crime, observes a scene of Tommy powers together with his mother in the public enemy” in the episode where the mother of the main character perishes. In addition, a number of other scenes in the soprano borrow words from some famous gangster films. For instance, one of Tony’s soldiers uses words of the godfather trilogy in the series. In addition, some actors present in the series were also present in known gangster films. For instance, Tony psychiatrist Dr. Jennifer Melfi was also present in “goodfellas”. Nevertheless, the most notable feature and theme in the series is the presence of women power and gender balance as presented by the women in Tony’s life. In the series, masculinity is seen to be weaker and feminism stronger. Post modern and cultural changes seen clearly in the series (Jameson, 2011, 22). Traditionally the role of women is known to be weak and powerless in society and family level. Women were required to respect men and to adhere to all the needs of men and children. However, in the series “the sopranos” women depicted in a powerful way and most of them affect the main character Tony directly. As a result, this affects Tony’s decision and emotions with regard to his mafia job. In Francis ford coppola’s, the Godfather part 3 (1990), Kay figures out her trepidation of Corleone by proclaiming; “I don’t hate you Michael, I dread you”. She obviously had a valid reason for her “dread” since at the end of the movie, Mary their daughter saves her father. In the soprano, the women like Carmela soprano, Livia, Janice and meadow present considerable influence with regard to gender. Tony’s mother, Livia, present the first influence. According to Tony, Livia was responsible for turning Tony’s father into a “squeekin’ little gerbil” prior t his death. Livia’s importance can be seen through her persistence in achieving her goals and objectives. women often overlooked in gangster scenes, especially a mother. Nevertheless, Livia ensures this does not take place. Carmela, Tony’s wife is also a very influential human in Tony’s life, even though she overlooked the queer behavior of Tony. However, she does not allow threats at her home, children or even to herself. In addition, she does not allow people to affect her personally. For instance, she confronts her confessor father Phil for playing with her feelings and emotions. She is a strong woman and advocates doing anything to safeguard her family. She ensures the society and her family view her as an equal to Tony. Meadow Tony’ daughter also had a strong influence on her father. Meadow was in a relationship with a half African-American half-Jewish man. Tony did not accept the relationship, and she was afraid on behalf of her daughter. Nevertheless, meadow was persistent and insisted on staying on the relationship. This shows how the women in the soprano were strong willed and had influence on men especially on Tony. The series presents the power of women and how Tony the main character is affected emotionally. He is forced to put his family first and give in to their demands. For instance, when meadow demands a car from her father, Tony gives her the car he won through a gambling debt. After discovering what her father had done, she disowned him. Tony faces a difficult time after that, and he was affected emotionally. Tension engulfs Tony’s family; therefore, the episode presented a learning experience. The gangster lifestyles embarked by Tony does not assist her family in any way. The materialistic wealth does not make his family strong. Meadow is seen to have a significant impact in her family’s life even though she is of a tender age. Tony’s psychiatrist has the greatest influence on Tony outside his home. Dr Jennifer Melfi is termed as the strongest female. She contributes in the moral direction of the series and the sense of menace. Dr. Melfi thought Tony was a normal patient suffering from psychiatrist problems. However, to her utter dismay, Tony was not an ordinary patient because he was involved in criminal activities in addition he was also a murderer. One time the ex husband of the doctor is heard saying “finally, you are going to get beyond psychological cheery moral relativism. Finally, you’re going to get good and evil, and he is evil”. Even though Tony was a good person when it came to the family, he was not a good person when he was with criminals. Tony and his colleagues portrayed to be victims of circumstances, and the series is based on their point of view. Tony himself also portrays men lack of masculinity (Jameson, 2011, 23). This is because, at the work place he becomes cruel and a bad person, advocating to do anything to achieve his criminal goals. However, while at home Tony becomes a different man and is seen to be a loving father, husband and son. He listens to advises of his mother, and as seen in various scenes of the series, Libia Tony’s mother had influence on Tony form childhood. Even though, Tony is not faithful to his wife, he is seen to listen to her and allowed her to head the family. Carmela, Tony’s wife is given the power to make fundamental decisions that affect the functionality of the family. She resents threats and ensures Tony’s work does not interfere with the family especially the children. When Tony is at home, he allows his wife to head the family. This is so unusual because in the past, men were known to be the heads of the family, and their wives were supposed to give in to their demands. Tony’s daughter who is constantly seen to be in conflict with her father also shows gender balance. Tony is unable to control his daughter’s life. Tony resents the man his daughter is involved with, but since he has no control over his daughter, he takes no action. In the traditional family setting, the father was given the power to make major family decisions and all the family members were required to adhere to the demands of the father. Tony is also seen to lose hold of his daughter when she disowned after being given the car present. Meadow refuses the present after learning that her father had obtained the car through a gambling debt. Tony has no power of her daughter, and this disturbs his mind. He becomes emotionally disturbed, and the soprano family is seen to be in some form of wrangles (Jameson, 2011, 27). Tony also has no power of his psychiatrist doctor who knows his dealings and the kind of life he lives. The impact of the doctor is massive in such a way the doctor had the power to ensure moral behavior was instilled in Tony’s life. Since, Tony discusses deep and secretive information to the psychiatrist she is woman known to be the most influential in Tony’s life. Therefore, the series portrays new power bestowed in women. The lives of women in the series are different from the traditional woman who had no power over the man. Tony forced to adhere to demands of all the women present in the series. The series also develops the issue of psychoanalysis presented by Tony. Tony is psychologically disturbed because of his life, and the criminal activities are involved. He experiences disturbing dreams and his conscious haunts him after committing crimes. He advocates to visit a psychiatrist so that appropriate help can be availed him. In addition, it is also noted that Tony suffered from panic attacks from his childhood. He loses consciousness a number of times in the scenes of the series to present some form of psychological problems in Tony’s life. He is seen to be reluctant to seek psychological assistance he eventually gives in and decides to seek help. Dr. Malfe becomes an influential person in Tony’s life and is seen to try guide Tony towards a morally upright life (Jameson, 2011, 25). Therefore, gender in the sopranos is portrayed to have some of imbalance between men and women. The women in the series are seen to be more powerful than the men. the women are influential and powerful, and the men are forced to adhere to the demands of the women. For instance, Tony the main protagonist seen to be affected emotionally by the decisions made by women in his life. The decision of meadow his daughter to disown him affects him, and this develops a tension in the house. Tony loves his daughter, and he wishes the best for her. Her anger and resentment affect Tony and he advocated ending the wrangles. The women position of women in the series is not the same as the position of a traditional woman. A traditional woman listened and adhered to the demands of her husband. Even when the husband was wrong, the women expected, to respect the decisions of man. This is not similar as the power of women in the series. A postmodern life presented in the series as the women are given more power than men are. They made major decisions and the men respected their decisions and demands. Referencing Jameson, F. 2011. Postmodernism, or, the cultural logic of late capitalism. Durham, Duke University Press. Read More